Pistols: An Illustrated History of Their Impact - Jeff Kinard - Google Books

http://books.google.de/books?id=ZVnuHX_6bG0C&dq=Cochran+turret+revolver&source=gbs_summary_s&cad=0

Pistols follows the evolution of personal sidearms in Europe, the United States, and Asia from medieval-era "hand cannons" with their clunky ignition systems, to the revolutionary Colt revolvers of the 19th century, to the modern semiautomatic weapons of…